Summer Supporter Update

You probably remember the huge frenzy of activity in March, when we had the mad idea to buy the field, when so many people put their hands in their pockets to help – and we did it! Since then, we’ve been busy, but largely behind the scenes.

Some of the work has been dull but necessary, like legalities and insurance, but so much has been enjoyable. 

Before making major decisions, we thought it important to gather information and to learn from experts, people knowledgeable about native flowers, trees, and butterflies, and those who manage ponds, grassland, and hedgerows. One of the first things we discovered was that we have time – nature will do its own thing, and it’s better to leave it largely alone in the first year which was reassuring.

We used the spring and summer to invite people to come and give us the benefit of their years of experience. We’ve visited nature reserves, including those managed by Derbyshire and Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts, Heal Rewilding in Somerset, and of course that pioneer, Knepp in Sussex.  

So, our plans are coming together, we’ve started work parties and arranged for the grass to be mown in September. We plan to plant trees in the winter – thanks to a generous donation and being approved by The Conservation Volunteers I Dig Trees campaign. Locally, we have joined the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Wild Peak Project and we’re members of Rewilding Britain. 

Now we have more idea of what is possible and we can ask informed questions, we are preparing a community consultation. Whilst not able to do everything that everyone wants, we want to give you, our supporters, and the local community the chance to share your views. Watch out for the survey, which will be online and in key locations in Wirksworth in the next couple of months. 

What is so special about our Wild Maple tree?

While field maple (acer campestre) is common enough in hedgerows or growing as a bush or small tree in scrubby fields, it is pretty unusual to see it as a full-grown tree. Field maple is a sturdy, robust tree. Our only native maple, it can live 350 years and grow up to 20 metres tall.

Rosemary explains what is so special about our tree. Click the button below to read more.

Meadow Transformation

At the moment, much of the field largely consists of rye grass and white clover which were introduced in the past to ‘improve’ grassland for farm animals. It will need some help from us to complete its transformation, but at Wild Maple Trust, our vision is a rich habitat of various species of wild plants which is alive with invertebrates.

Jane, describes our vision for the grassland. Click the button below to read more.

How can you help?

After our hugely successful Wild Thistle Picnic, where 19 of us turned out in the gentle sunshine to pull up vigorous plants and then enjoy food together, we now have a date for our next work party for the Dewpond Restoration.

We will meet again on the field on Thursday 31st August at 10.30am where we will work on the very exciting job of restoring the dewpond.  

Do come along, everyone is welcome. Click the button below for full details of the event.

Keep an eye on our event page where we will post details of all upcoming events. There will be a number of work parties for tree planting over the winter months which we’ll publicise on the Wild Maple Trust website events page, the Wilder Wirksworth Facebook page and by email to our subscribers.

In the meantime we would like to thank you again for all your support to date and we look forward to welcoming you on the field again very soon.